The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

“Vaisampayana said, ’After Dushmanta had
left the asylum having made those promises unto Sakuntala,
the latter of tapering thighs brought forth a boy
of immeasurable energy. And when the child was
three years old, he became in splendour like the blazing
fire. And, O Janamejaya, he was possessed of
beauty and magnanimity and every accomplishment.
And that first of virtuous men, Kanwa, caused all
the rites of religion to be performed in respect of
that intelligent child thriving day by day. And
the boy gifted with pearly teeth and shining locks,
capable of slaying lions even then, with all auspicious
signs on his palm, and broad expansive forehead, grew
up in beauty and strength. And like unto a celestial
child in splendour, he began to grow up rapidly.
And when he was only six years of age, endued with
great strength he used to seize and bind to the trees
that stood around that asylum, lions and tigers and
bears and buffaloes and elephants. And he rode
on some animals, and pursued others in sportive mood.
The dwellers at Kanwa’s asylum thereupon bestowed
on him a name. And they said, because he seizes
and restrains an animals however strong, let him,
be called Sarvadamana (the subduer of all). And
it was thus that the boy came to be named Sarvadamana,
endued as he was with prowess, and energy and strength.
And the Rishi seeing the boy and marking also his
extraordinary acts, told Sakuntala that the time had
come for his installation as the heir-apparent.
And beholding the strength of the boy, Kanwa commanded
his disciples, saying, ’Bear ye without delay
this Sakuntala with her son from this abode to that
of her husband, blessed with every auspicious sign.
Women should not live long in the houses of their
paternal or maternal relations. Such residence
is destructive of their reputation, their good conduct,
their virtue. Therefore, delay not in bearing
her hence.’ These disciples of the Rishi
thereupon, saying ‘So be it,’ went towards
the city named after an elephant (Hastinapura) with
Sakuntala and her son ahead of them. And then
she of fair eye-brows, taking with her that boy of
celestial beauty, endued with eyes like lotus petals,
left the woods where she had been first known by Dushmanta.
And having approached the king, she with her boy resembling
in splendour the rising sun was introduced to him.
And the disciples of the Rishi having introduced her,
returned to the asylum. And Sakuntala having
worshipped the king according to proper form, told
him, ’This is thy son, O king! Let him
be installed as thy heir-apparent. O king, this
child, like unto a celestial, hath been begotten by
thee upon me. Therefore, O best of men, fulfil
now the promise thou gavest me. Call to mind,
O thou of great good fortune, the agreement thou hadst
made on the occasion of thy union with me in the asylum
of Kanwa.’